Archives of the
Global Climate Change DigestA Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone DepletionPublished July 1988 through June 1999

FROM VOLUME 8, NUMBER 6, JUNE 1995

PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS...OF GENERAL INTEREST: COMMENTARY

An unsigned editorial supporting the European Union's proposal to the first
meeting of the Conference of Parties to the climate convention, calling for
discussion leading up to a specific protocol over the next two years. Also
advocates that an organization modeled after the U.N. Scientific Committee on
the Effects of Atomic Radiation should replace the IPCC as the source of
scientific advice for the convention. Bert Bolin and John Houghton of the IPCC
rebut that proposal in a subsequent letter (ibid., 375(6528),
176, May 18, 1995).

An unsigned editorial emphasizing two of the critical concerns for the next
two years for negotiating a climate convention: monitoring of greenhouse gas
emissions; and a means for equitably sharing the burdens of mitigation. The
European Community could take the lead in the latter by working out an equitable
deal among its own members.

Proposes the details of a mechanism that would grant every adult in the
world a standard, marketable Fossil Fuel Right (FFR). Individuals wishing to use
more than their share would purchase extra FFRs from underconsumers.